The FAA required that forty hours be flown on the airplane, and specific flight tests be performed before passengers could be flown. The forty-hour test phase was flown by Bob Hoey and Ozzie Levi of the EAA Chapt. 49 and was completed on 27 May, 1997. Minor adjustments to the engine carburetor were made to accomodate the high altitude at Fox Field. Some minor adjustment in flaps and other controls were the only changes needed during the test phase.

The first passenger was Peggy O'Brien, the instigator of the program.